Wound Care

Our Doctors are experts in the management of complicated non healing wounds. They both are fully trained in wound management and employ a full range of treatment options for complex wounds. The patient and their wound are completely evaluated to determine why they are not healing. This includes evaluation of circulation, sensation, infection, edema (swelling), nutrition, medical problems, foot / ankle/ leg deformities that are causing delayed healing of the wound. The doctors employ the most advanced wound care products to heal your wound, including proper antibiotic management and off loading of the wound with casts, orthotics, bracing, shoes, pads, etc). If wounds are not healing despite non operative treatments, then surgical treatments may be recommended. Both physicians perform a wide variety of limb salvage procedures ranging from simple skin grafting procedures and local tissue flap repairs to advanced limb salvage techniques such as: Charcot foot/ ankle reconstruction and complex foot amputations. We use the most advanced would healing graft products on the market today. These are manufactured graft products that are applied to the wound without the need to harvest skin from the patient. These products have a remarkable ability to aid in the healing of a stubborn wound.

Diabetes and Your Feet According to the American Diabetes Association, about 15.7 million people (5.9 percent of the United States population) have diabetes. Nervous system damage (also called neuropathy) affects about 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes and is a major complication that may cause diabetics to lose feeling in their feet or hands.

Foot problems are a big risk in diabetics. Diabetics must constantly monitor their feet or face severe consequences, including amputation.

With a diabetic foot, a wound as small as a blister from wearing a shoe that's too tight can cause a lot of damage. Diabetes decreases blood flow, so injuries are slow to heal. When your wound is not healing, it's at risk for infection. As a diabetic, your infections spread quickly. If you have diabetes, you should inspect your feet every day. Look for puncture wounds, bruises, pressure areas, redness, warmth, blisters, ulcers, scratches, cuts and nail problems. Get someone to help you, or use a mirror.

Use quality lotion to keep the skin of your feet soft and moist, but don't put any lotion between your toes.

Wash your feet every day with mild soap and warm water.

Wear loose socks to bed.

Wear warm socks and shoes in winter.

When drying your feet, pat each foot with a towel and be careful between your toes.

Buy shoes that are comfortable without a "breaking in" period. Check how your shoe fits in width, length, back, bottom of heel, and sole. Avoid pointed-toe styles and high heels. Try to get shoes made with leather upper material and deep toe boxes. Wear new shoes for only two hours or less at a time. Don't wear the same pair everyday. Inspect the inside of each shoe before putting it on. Don't lace your shoes too tightly or loosely.

When your feet become numb, they are at risk for becoming deformed. One way this happens is through ulcers. Open sores may become infected. Another way is the bone condition Charcot (pronounced "sharko") foot. This is one of the most serious foot problems you can face. It warps the shape of your foot when your bones fracture and disintegrate, and yet you continue to walk on it because it doesn't hurt. Diabetic foot ulcers and early phases of Charcot fractures can be treated with a total contact cast.

The shape of your foot molds the cast. It lets your ulcer heal by distributing weight and relieving pressure. If you have Charcot foot, the cast controls your foot's movement and supports its contours if you don't put any weight on it. To use a total contact cast, you need good blood flow in your foot. The cast is changed every week or two until your foot heals. A custom-walking boot is another way to treat your Charcot foot. It supports the foot until all the swelling goes down, which can take as long as a year. You should keep from putting your weight on the Charcot foot. Surgery is considered if your deformity is too severe for a brace or shoe.